Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Tuesday - September 01, 2009
From: Glen Allen, VA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Shrubs
Title: Shrubs for house landscaping in Virginia
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I would like suggestions for types of shrubs to be planted in front of my house.ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants suggests that you visit the Recommended Species page on our webpage and select your state from the map or the pulldown menu. This will give you a list of commercially available native plants suitable for landscapes in Virginia. You can then use the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option to limit the results by choosing 'Shrub' from the GENERAL APPEARANCE option. You can also add your choice for other criteria (e.g., under LIGHT REQUIREMENT and/or SOIL MOISTURE). Since I don't know what the light and moisture parameters for your yard are, I will suggest a few shrubs with a variety of growing requirements. You can check those against your site's conditions. You can also see for yourself if there are other possibilities in the Recommended Species list.Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey tea) is a small (up to 3 ft.) with small white flowers in the spring.
Cornus alternifolia (alternateleaf dogwood) is described as a large shrub or tall tree (up to 35 ft.). It has white flowers that make berries that attract birds.
Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel) is a large evergreen shrub (12-20 ft.) with pink flowers in the spring.
Lindera benzoin (northern spicebush) is a 6-12 ft.shrub with aromatic leaves.
Rhododendron calendulaceum (flame azalea) is 6-12 ft tall with showy orange flowers.
Robinia hispida (bristly locust) grows up to 8 feet tall with pinkish flowers in the spring.
More Shrubs Questions
Deer resistant plants from New Braunfels TX
August 31, 2012 - I have a 1/2 yard covered by a tree, shady. Bermuda grass previous owner planted has all turned brown this summer. I don't have lots of money to work with but would love to landscape that side of fr...
view the full question and answer
Possible maple scale on non-native mophead hydrangeas from Newport RI
August 07, 2013 - I have a mophead hydrangea that has small white cottony tufts under the leaves and on the stems. I believe this is maple scale. Is there a home remedy I can use to rid this disease?
view the full question and answer
Black chokeberry edible from Huntsville ON
May 04, 2013 - Can the fruit of the black chokeberry be eaten??
view the full question and answer
Flowering evergreen plant for ceramic pot
April 02, 2013 - I have a deep ceramic pot that I would like to put in a flowering evergreen plant or bush. It is on the deck facing west but with north and south exposure and afternoon sun.
view the full question and answer
Tropical plants for a pool-side planter in Cape Coral FL
April 19, 2010 - I live in Southwest Florida and have a pool inside a cage with a pool planter built into the deck around part of the pool. What kind of tropical plants can I put in the planter that are not root inva...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |